The Bible states several times that the truth will set you free, but sometimes the truth is laced with elasticity. Truth is a straight and narrow road, with no detours, no twists, and no turns, but sometimes the truth gets stretched. The proven weapon of choice that is used the enemy is misinformation. The reason that misinformation is so powerful is that it is in fact the truth, but with an ever so slight twist. The shocker is that misinformation contains so much of the truth that it isn’t easily recognizable as an untruth.
Misinformation is implemented by one of three ways. Taking a true statement and either, adding a word(s), deleting a word(s), or substituting a word(s) creates misinformation. Such a slight change in wording will twist or bend the truth; thereby making it an untruth. Just as a little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump; a little misinformation creates an entirely different scenario. The truth can be compared to being pregnant. A woman is either pregnant or she’s not pregnant, just as a statement is either true or its false. There is no such thing as being a little bit pregnant, likewise there is not such thing as being a little bit true; it is either true or it’s false.
There’s so much misinformation in the church world today that it has led to so many conflicting doctrines. Misinformation has created numerous doctrines throughout the church world and it has caused division amongst the churches. Again, misinformation is the weapon of choice preferred by the enemy because it creates an atmosphere of doubt and unbelief. Once misinformation is introduced into the church it systematically begins to destroy the church from within. This destruction starts with disagreements, which leads to members choosing a side, which ultimately leads to an extreme feudal situation, much like the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys.
The root cause of misinformation in the church is because individuals are not reading and interpreting the Bible for themselves. All too often they accept the doctrine of the pastor and or teacher. Most Christians do not have an original opinion about any of the controversial church doctrines that has divided so many churches. Readily accepting the opinion of a pastor or a teacher is a recipe for disaster. If that pastor or teacher’s doctrine is based on misinformation, then the followers are also deceived. This creates a situation where the blind is leading the blind and eventually resulting in embarrassment and destruction for all parties involved.
There’s a way to minimize the amount of Biblical misinformation that is infiltrating church doctrines of today. Study the Bible for yourself. Whatever doctrine you decide to adopt, make sure it is your own original doctrine based on your own study. Everybody isn’t a Bible scholar and it’s not necessary to be a scholar to recognize misinformation. When you do read the Bible, do not begin reading to prove a preconceived idea or doctrine. Begin reading with a neutral state of mind and as your reading progresses, slowly but surely, you will begin absorb bits and pieces of information. These bits and pieces are equivalent to the pieces of a puzzle. As one continues to gather more and more pieces of the puzzle he or she will discover that the Bible is beginning to form a picture in the mind’s eye. The picture that’s being formed is actually that individual’s original thoughts and theories concerning Biblical beliefs. Under no circumstances are you to stop there with your own thoughts and theories. Now, converse with others, whom you respect, to compare your findings, to see if either one of you have some other pieces of the puzzle in a compromising position. Bear in mind, just because a person has written a book or is on television does not make him or her authentic, because their teachings may be full of misinformation. There can be no room for discrepancies. All of the pieces of the puzzle must fit perfectly to produce a clear and accurate portrait of the author’s intended message. Always be sure that you have all of your pieces of the puzzle in the correct location. Do not hesitate to relocate pieces of the puzzle if it’s positioning creates distortion and confusion. Under no circumstances, should you ever compromise and force a piece of the puzzle to fit. Once your puzzle has all the pieces in the correct position, you have just formed your own doctrine, in alignment with scripture. Remember, if any one piece is improperly located then the picture is inaccurate. Likewise, if any one piece of your doctrine is misaligned or misplaced, then the doctrine is flawed. If that flawed doctrine is taught to others, then it becomes misinformation.
